Category Archives: The Female Athlete

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I was stretching with my U13 soccer team after a scrimmage. Through a chorus of moans and evident wincing one player told me, “Coach, no one in my class can touch their toes.” Her teammates nodded in agreement. Yep, tight … Continue reading →

We’re seeing an alarming trend among coaches of elite athletes in all sports today: recruiting their talent rather than building it. After all, in an environment that celebrates winning above all else, teaching the fundamentals takes too long. Why develop … Continue reading →

I had a disconcerting phone conversation with a friend and fellow “soccer parent” the other day. She said her daughter is “on the bubble” between the ‘A’ and ‘B’ team. They are waiting to hear which team she will be … Continue reading →

Under Their Own Power While I was out for a walk I came upon a young father coming out of the driveway behind his toddler son who was on one of those big plastic tricycles that has the handle behind … Continue reading →

Behind Before You Get Started! It’s that time again: I call it overlap season. That season when the school year events have not quite concluded, but the summer events have already begun. Yes, my calendar is filled with end … Continue reading →

Catch Them Being Good! …A great title taken from a recent book written by Tony DiCicco (former women’s US National soccer team head coach) and Colleen Hacker, PhD (sport psychologist and consultant to this team). It’s good advice for parents. … Continue reading →

From the player’s perspective, a good coach is someone who… Can motivate and teach Encourages and inspires Is insightful and compassionate Communicates in an understandable way You can communicate with You can trust and learn from Is a tactician Knows … Continue reading →

Do you wonder how you can: increase the fun in our children’s sports activities diffuse the fear of failure eliminate confusion between roles and expectations relieve the tension we feel as we drive up to the athletic complex Sports are … Continue reading →

Coaches: Give players the resources to cope with the stress of the game: help them focus on the task and what they CAN control (their game, their aggressiveness, their attitude) and not what they CAN’T control (game outcome, play of … Continue reading →